10 Best Banks in Alaska for Checking and Savings Accounts

1. Chase

Chase has no branches in Alaska. That matters less than it used to, because both the $400 new-checking bonus and the day-to-day running of the account happen entirely in the app. Alaskans who bank by direct deposit, debit card and transfer can collect the largest new-checking bonus any major bank is offering and never miss the lobby.

Here is the entire requirement. Open a new Total Checking account, then have $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits arrive within 90 days of enrolling in the offer. It is cumulative, so two or three ordinary paychecks clear it, and the bonus is paid within 15 days of you meeting the requirement. The $15 monthly service fee drops to $0 in any statement period with $500 or more in qualifying electronic deposits, a $1,500 daily beginning balance, or $5,000 in average beginning day balance across linked accounts. One trap to know: Zelle, cash, checks, wires and interest do not count toward either number.

What replaces a local branch is the national network. Chase runs 5,000+ branches and 14,000+ ATMs on the mainland, so the account is useful the moment you travel, and mobile check deposit, Zelle and fraud monitoring all work from Anchorage. Be honest with yourself about one thing: if you regularly need to hand cash to a teller in Alaska, this is not the account for that job. If you do not, the missing branches never come up.

The catch worth naming: the bonus is only open to people who are not already Chase checking customers, and you can collect one new-checking bonus every two years. It is reported to the IRS on a 1099-INT. If that fits you, open a Total Checking account and route your paycheck to it.

If you want the biggest checking bonus on the market and you are content to bank from your phone, claim the $400 with Chase here.

2. Current

When the nearest branch is a flight away, your bank needs to live on your phone. The gap between when a bill is due and when your paycheck lands is where most budgets actually break, and it is the specific problem Current is built for.

The signup math is simple. Open an account with promo code WELCOME75 and get $75 once your Eligible Payroll Deposits total $1,500 or more in your first 35 days. It is cumulative rather than one big deposit, it is new customers only, and the cash arrives about 10 business days after you cross the line. Recurring wages from an employer, a payroll provider or a government payer count. Non-direct-deposit ACH transfers, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, PayPal, Google Pay, mobile check deposits, cash and one-off deposits such as a tax refund do not.

The feature that earns its keep after the bonus is Paycheck Advance, which lets you draw up to $750 of pay before payday and is offered by Finco Advance LLC rather than a bank. There is no monthly fee on the account, and the whole thing opens from your phone, which is the point in a state where the nearest branch may not be convenient.

One thing to be clear about, because it is routinely written up wrong: Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services come from Choice Financial Group and/or Cross River Bank, both Member FDIC, so deposit insurance reaches you on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 and depends on those conditions being met. If that structure is fine with you, open an account with code WELCOME75 and claim the $75.

3. SoFi

Banking in Alaska can feel complicated. Branches are spread thin, the weather does not always make travel easy, and the last thing you want is to pay fees just to manage your money. That is why more Alaskans are turning to digital-first accounts that fit their lifestyle.

With SoFi Checking & Savings, you can skip the branch trips entirely and still come out ahead. New members can qualify for up to a $450 bonus just for setting up direct deposit.

What makes this especially powerful for Alaskans is the flexibility. You get access to more than 55,000 free ATMs nationwide, fee-free overdraft coverage up to fifty dollars with qualifying direct deposits, and a mobile app that gives you total control from anywhere, whether you are in Anchorage, Fairbanks, or completely off the road system.

SoFi even includes automated savings “vaults” to help you stash money toward your next fishing trip, gear upgrade, or rainy-day fund without extra effort.

If you want an account that pays you more, travels with you anywhere in Alaska, and starts you off with up to a $450 bonus, claim your bonus today and see why SoFi is our top choice for Alaskan residents.

4. Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is one of the largest banks in the U.S., but many people don’t know that it is also one of a select few banks that don’t require Social Security numbers to open an account. For many Alaska residents, this could unlock the chance to open a bank account with an alternate form of identification. 

Alaska has over 40 Wells Fargo branches and twice as many ATMs. You can open several checking accounts, including Everyday Checking (which offers a $325 new checking bonus), Teen Checking and Opportunity Checking.

Wells Fargo’s two savings accounts come with a $5 waivable monthly fee. While the APY rate is low, you can still earn at least something on your savings balance. 

Additional Wells Fargo services include personal and auto loans, investment banking, credit cards, mortgages, wealth management, and retirement planning. You can access your Wells Fargo account online or through the mobile app or by contacting customer support that’s available 24/7.

5. First Bank

First Bank was opened in 1924 and is headquartered in Ketchikan. It offers Alaskan residents nearly 10 locations, with four checking accounts and three savings accounts. 

All checking accounts come with a free Mastercard debit card. You can waive the monthly fees ranging from $0 to $10 by maintaining a minimum balance or setting up a direct deposit. 

First Bank offers 0.1% to 0.35% APY on its savings accounts. Overdraft protection automatically transfers money between your savings and checking account to avoid overdraft fees. 

6. First National Bank Alaska

We mentioned First National Bank Alaska at the beginning of this article, but it’s time now to look at what this bank can offer you. First National Bank Alaska is locally-owned and provides many personal and business banking products. 

Nearly 30 First National Bank Alaska branches are found in 19 Alaskan cities. Choose from checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, CDs, debit and credit cards, loans, and IRAs. 

The six checking accounts that First National Bank Alaska offers don’t require a minimum deposit. The same goes for the three savings accounts you can open. 

You get three free monthly withdrawals if you open a Regular Savings account. You can also avoid the monthly fees by maintaining a $300 balance. 

First National Bank also partners with Zelle to offer transfers between you and a third party. The mobile app also lets you bank on the go. 

7. Mt. McKinley Bank

Established in 1965, Mt. McKinley Bank offers five branches and twice the ATMs in Alaska. This community bank offers five checking accounts with a Visa debit card, free in-network ATM withdrawals, and no monthly fees. 

You can also pick from five savings accounts, one of which is specifically tailored to teens. Access your accounts anytime from the mobile app, where you can transfer money between accounts, set up direct deposit, and sign up for eStatements. 

Mt. McKinley Bank also offers CDs, loans, IRAs, and business banking products. 

8. Northrim Bank

With nearly 20 branches across Alaska, Northrim Bank has a strong presence in this northern state. Northrim offers several checking and savings accounts, health savings accounts, money market accounts, credit cards, CDs, IRAs, and personal loans. 

Northrim Bank’s Flex Checking accounts have four tiers: Simple, Direct, Power, and Presidents. The proprietary banking software will automatically evaluate your account to place it in the correct tier. 

You can earn up to 0.09% APY on your balance within the top three tiers. You can also pick from four savings accounts that earn up to 0.25% APY when you deposit a minimum of $100 into the account. 

9. Credit Union 1

Did you know that Credit Union 1 has been open since 1952? This credit union offers checking and savings accounts on top of IRAs, credit cards, and loans. 

Credit Union 1’s network of 12 branches serves over 100,000 Alaskan residents. There are three options for checking and savings accounts as well. 

Many Alaskans find that Credit Union 1 offers better rates on loans and deposits than national banks and even some online-only banks. Members can access community outreach programs, personalized support, and financial education resources. 

10. Denali State Bank

Even though Denali State Bank only has five locations, those offer Alaskan residents a powerhouse of financial services. Choose from seven checking accounts, four savings accounts, a money market account, CDs, and IRAs. 

You can also link your Kasasa checking and savings accounts to make transferring money that much easier. Denali State Bank offers a high APY on its savings account balances compared to the national average. 

You will need $100 to open the Denali State Bank checking account. However, there are no monthly fees to worry about. 

Denali State Bank also offers credit and debit cards, personal and auto loans, and mortgages. You can access 24/7 customer service if you ever need assistance.